DISH

Section Two: Using Disability Services and Accommodations


Sign Language Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning Services

Sign language interpreters and real time captioners provide communication access for:

  • classes and labs
  • required class-related activities, such as field trips
  • instructor conferences
  • tutorial sessions
  • appointments on campus for necessary college business

Effort is made to match interpreter style with student needs. Interpreters and captioners follow the Code of Ethics.  If you have questions or concerns on about how to use an interpreter/captioner, ask the Deaf Services supervisor.  If a problem develops with your interpreter/captioner, or you have a concern about your services, tell the Deaf Services supervisor as soon as possible.  You can also talk to your DSS Counselor or LD Specialist.  If your interpreter or captioner has concerns, he/she may ask for help from DHHS and/or the DSS office.

Students are asked to fill evaluation forms at the end of each quarter. These  help to improve the services.

Steps to arrange for Interpreters or Real Time Captioners

For classes and labs
  1. Register with your DSS Counselor or LD Specialist for classes, preferably during the priority registration period.
  2. Complete and Submit the online Request for Services (pink form)
  3. Read and sign the Student Responsibilities (pdf): Utilizing Interpreting/Captioning Services form.
For required out-of-class activities
For final exams
  1. Regular class interpreting/captioning services will end on the last scheduled class session before the final exam date unless arrangements have been made for services on final exam day.
  2. For final exam day services:

Interpreters and captioners will attend final exam sessions ONLY if these special arrangements have been made .

NOTE:  For a campus activity that is not a class requirements, talk to the DHHS supervisor who will advise you on how to request services for other events.

Policy on Interpreting/Captioning Services

 General Provisions

Interpreting and Captioning Services are provided to students:

    • Who have completed the intake process, and
    • Are officially enrolled in the class

Students should enroll in classes during the DSS priority registration period, or as early as possible. 

    • Interpreters and captioners are assigned in order of student registrations.
    • The priority registration period dates are
      • Emailed to students at their email address,
      • Posted on the DSS Home page and in the DSS News and Announcements 
      • Posted in the DSS office in RSS 141

Effort is made to honor the student’s preference for communication method. However, when required,  a comparable service or other alternatives may be offered to meet access needs.

Service delays may:

    • Happen if a
      • Student registers late  (after the DSS priority registration period)  even after the quarter begins
      • Student changes class schedule after registration or during the quarter
    •  Last up to five (5) instructional days, even after the quarter begins

Service requests for out-of-class activities must be turned in to DHHS five (5) workdays ahead or may not be filled.

Changes in class schedule during the quarter should be reported to the DHHS supervisor. 

    • If not reported, absences in classes dropped or withdrawn from may count as student no-shows.
Late Policies

Interpreters/captioners Waiting Periods for students to arrive are as follows:

    • 15 minutes for a one-hour class
    • 20 minutes for a two-hour class
    • 30 minutes for a class lasting three hours or more

Arriving late could mean missing important announcements at the beginning of class. It will be the student's responsibility to ask the instructor what information was missed. If DHHS is not contacted ahead of the class meeting time the service provider will leave after the Waiting Period and a “no show” may be recorded.

Notification requirements for students who will be late:

If a service provider has not arrived after ten minutes,

    • Write a short explanation to the teacher and
    • Inform DHHS
    • DHHS will assign a substitute if possible.
Student Responsibilities & Notification Requirement Policies

NOTE:  Interpreters and captioners are professionals who commit their time to the hours they are scheduled.

Students are required to notify DHHS when they will miss class.

  • Contact the DHHS supervisor by one of the following methods:
  • Absence Notification
  • Planned Absences:  Students who plan to be absent for class for any reason should inform DHHS as soon as they have decided not to attend.
  • Unplanned Absences:  Contact the DHHS supervisor as soon as possible, preferably before the class meeting.
  • First Day of Quarter Absences: Inform DHHS prior to the start time for the class or the interpreter/captioner may be transferred to another class.
No Show Penalties

If you are absent without notification, the absence will be counted as a “no show.”

Consequences of No-Shows

  • 1st No-Show
    • Student receives a written reminder of the notification requirements from DHHS.
  • 2nd No-Show
    •  The student receives a written notice and needs to meet with the DSS counselor or LD Specialist on the day and time shown on the second notice.
  • 3rd No-Show:
    • The student will be informed, in writing, of suspension of service and will be required to scheduled to meet with the Dean of the DSPS Division to further discuss and clarify DSPS expectations.
  • 4th No-Show:
    • The student's services are terminated for the remainder of the quarter.  If the student wants to reinstate services or appeal the suspension, they should review the Suspension of Services process, FHDA District Board - Administrative Procedure AP-5076.

 Return to DISH Table of Contents


DISH Table of Contents

- (Quick Links)

Section One: Coming to De Anza College

Section Two: Using Disability Services and Accommodations


General / College-Wide Accommodations and Services


Instructional / Classroom Accommodations and Services:


Alternate Media Services:


Deaf or Hard of Hearing Services:


Legal Aspects


Concerns and Complaints

Section Three: Disability Support Programs & Services Instruction

Section Four: Success Strategies

Section Five: Campus and Community Life

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